Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada.
Please accept my humble obeisances all glories to Srila Prabhupada. This is the title of our new file.
You can chose a different title if you like and file your letters in it. We print up two copies each time, offer them to Srila Prabhupada on our altar. We will send him one report letter each month at least. You can share yours or keep them private but the spiritual therapy is very very potent. Srila Prabhupada will be visiting our garden regularly this summer in his big framed photo. We will carry him around. He will then sit on a new chair and be offered what ever he would like so he can watch us serve the garden for his pleasure. This is our first letter.
690113LE.LA Lectures …vani and vapu, and vapu means the physical body, and vani means the vibration. So we are not concerned about the physical body. Not concerned means… We are concerned, of course, because the spiritual master, those who are acaryas, their body is not considered as materiel. Arcye sila-dhir gurusu nara-matir. Just like the statue of Krsna, to consider that “This is a stone…” Similarly, arcye sila-dhir gurusu na… Gurusu means those who are acaryas, to accept their body as ordinary man’s body, this is denied in the sastras. SO ALTHOUGH A PHYSICAL BODY IS NOT PRESENT, THE VIBRATION SHOULD BE ACCEPTED AS THE PRESENCE OF THE SPIRITUAL MASTER, VIBRATION. WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE SPIRITUAL MASTER, THAT IS LIVING.
From The 21stCentury
Letters To Srila Prabhupada
Hasti Gopala Dasa and Lila Katha Devi Dasi
81 Nabob Crescent
Toronto Canada M1B 2Z1
April 14th 2013
Some recent questions about the book changes by Bhakta Mark
By Bhakta Mark April 12, 2013
Referring to the Ritvik initiation system, they say there is no such thing as“post samadhi initiation” or “posthumous Diksa”. that it is asiddhanta and not part of the Gaudiya Tradition.
So I am surprised that Jayadwaita and his BBT book mangling crew have yet to edit Jagannatha das Babaji’s name out from the list of disciplic succession in the“new improved” Bhagavad Gita. After all, according to the parampara list as written by Srila Prabhupada in CC Adi Lila chapter 1, “Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura accepted Śrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī”, even though Visvanatha was “post samadhi” by a hundred years.
I hate to give our misguided pre-samadhi editors any more “bright” ideas, but that edited Gita is ruined already, so Jay might as well just continue to show the world what he really thinks about the ideas of the one he claims to be a disciple of.
THE DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ. (Bhagavad-gīta, 4.2) This Bhagavad-gītā As It Is is received through this disciplic succession: 1) Kṛṣṇa, 2) Brahmā, 3) Nārada; 4) Vyāsa, 5) Madhva, 6) Padmanābha, 7) Nṛhari, 8) Mādhava, 9) Akṣobhya, 10) Jayatīrtha, 11) Jñānasindhu, 12) Dayānidhi, 13) Vidyānidhi, 14) Rājendra, 15) Jayadharma, 16) Puruṣottama, 17) Brahmaṇyatīrtha, 18) Vyāsatīrtha, 19) Lakṣmīpati, 20) Mādhavendra Purī, 21) Īśvara Purī, (Nityānanda, Advaita), 22) Lord Caitanya, 23) Rūpa (Svarūpa, Sanātana), 24) Raghunātha, Jīva, 25) Kṛṣṇadāsa, 26) Narottama, 27) Viśvanātha, 28) (Baladeva) Jagannātha, 29) Bhaktivinode, 30) Gaurakiśora, 31) Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, 32) His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda. (Bhagavad Gita INTRO)
Of course J.Swa will need to attack the Bhagavatam next…
Brahmā is the direct recipient of Vedic knowledge from the Personality of Godhead, and anyone discharging his entrusted duties in disciplic succession from Brahmā is sure to gain fame in this life and salvation in the next. The disciplic succession from Brahmā is called the Brahma-sampradāya, and it descends as follows: Brahmā, Nārada, Vyāsa, Madhva Muni (Pūrṇaprajña), Padmanābha, Nṛhari, Mādhava, Akṣobhya, Jayatīrtha, Jñānasindhu, Dayānidhi, Vidyānidhi, Rājendra, Jayadharma, Puruṣottama, Brahmaṇyatīrtha, Vyāsatīrtha, Lakṣmīpati, Mādhavendra Purī, Īśvara Purī, ŚrīCaitanya Mahāprabhu, Svarūpa Dāmodara and Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī and others, ŚrīRaghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, Kṛṣṇadāsa Gosvāmī, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura,Viśvanātha Cakravartī, Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī, Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. (SB 3.13.8 : PURPORT )
Might as well edit a few taped lectures while he is at it…
“One who has accepted ācārya, he knows things as they are.” Ācāryavān puruṣo veda. So we are receiving knowledge through the ācāryas. Kṛṣṇa spoke to Arjuna, Arjuna spoke to Vyāsadeva. Arjuna actually did not speak to Vyāsadeva, but Vyāsadeva heard it, Kṛṣṇa speaking, and he noted down in his book Mahābhārata. This Bhagavad-gītā is found in Mahābhārata. So we accept the authorities of Vyāsa. And from Vyāsa, Madhvācārya; from Madhvācārya, so many disciplic succession, up to Mādhavendra Purī. Then Mādhavendra Purī to Īśvara Purī; from Īśvara Purī to Lord Caitanyadeva; from Lord Caitanyadeva to six Gosvāmīs; from six Gosvāmīs to Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja; from him, ŚrīnivāsaĀcārya; from him, Viśvanātha Cakravartī; from him, Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī; then Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī; Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura; my spiritual master. The same thing, we are preaching. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. It is nothing new. It is coming down from the original speaker, Kṛṣṇa, by disciplic succession. (Lectures : Bhagavad-gita 2.13 — Pittsburgh, September 8, 1972)
That is guru. Means one who has seen the truth. How he has seen the truth? Through the paramparā system. Kṛṣṇa said this, and then Brahmā said the same thing, then Nārada said the same thing, Vyāsadeva said the same thing, and then disciplic succession, Madhvācārya, Mādhavendra Purī, Īśvara Purī, Lord Caitanya, Ṣaḍ-gosvāmī,Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, ŚrīnivāsaĀcārya, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura. In this way. Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. Then we are speaking. The same thing. (Lectures : Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.1 — Los Angeles, June 24, 1972)
J. and cohort Dravida das already edited the Parampara list in CC Adi 1, but failed to properly address the false post samadhi Diksa that Jagannatha received when Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti accepted him as servitor. Instead he our Mangler in Chief focused on editing Srila Prabhupada’s “bogus” idea that Bhaktivinode was initiated by Jagannatha dasa, and that Bhaktivinode initiated Srila Gaurakishor das babaji
“The direct disciple of Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, who accepted Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī as his servitor. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura acceptedŚrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, who initiated Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, who in turn initiatedŚrīla Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī, the spiritual master of Oṁ ViṣṇupādaŚrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, the divine master of our humble self.” (Original CC Adi Chapter 1)
“The direct disciple of Śrīla Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī was Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, who accepted Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī as his servitor. Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura acceptedŚrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, the spiritual master of Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, who in turn accepted Śrīla Gaurakiśora dāsa Bābājī, the spiritual master of Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Mahārāja, the divine master of our humble self.” (Changed CC Adi Chapter 1)
I know, I know, so many changes to make, so little time. Perhaps some one of J. Swa’s divine stature could make an appeal to Kala, the presiding Deity of time, in the form of a request to slow things down a bit so His Magnificence will be able to properly wield his editorial scalpel and undo all the errors Srila Prabhupada left us with and save the entire Jagat from being so grossly misinformed.

Ramananda Raya’s conversation with Lord Caitanya-TLC book
Ramananda Raya’s conversation with Lord Caitanya
TLC 32 Conclusion
Lord Caitanya next asked Ramananda Raya, “What is the most valuable
thing in the world?”
Ramananda Raya replied that he who has love for
Radha-Krsna possesses the most valuable jewel and the greatest riches.
One who is addicted to material sense gratification or material wealth
is not really considered to be wealthy. When one comes to the
spiritual platform of Krsna consciousness, he can understand that
there are no riches more valuable than love of Radha-Krsna. It is
recorded in Srimad-Bhagavatam that Maharaja Dhruva sought out the
Supreme Lord because he wanted to get some land, but when he finally
saw Krsna, he said, “I am so pleased, I don’t want anything.” In
Bhagavad-gita it is also stated that if one takes shelter of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead or is elevated to the supreme state of
love of Godhead, he has nothing more to aspire to. Although such
devotees can attain whatever they desire from the Lord, they do not
ask anything from Him.
When Lord Caitanya asked Ramananda Raya what is considered to be
the most painful existence,
Ramananda Raya replied that separation
from a pure devotee constitutes the most painful existence. In other
words, when there is no devotee of the Lord present, there is great
suffering in society, and association with other people becomes
painful. In ▼Srimad-Bhagavatam (3.30.7) it is stated that if one who
is bereft of the association of a pure devotee tries to become happy
through society, friendship and love devoid of Krsna consciousness, he
is to be considered in the most distressed condition. In the Fifth
Canto of Brhad-bhagavatamrta (5.44) it is stated that the association
of a pure devotee is more desirable than life itself and that in
separation from him one cannot even pass a second happily.
Lord Caitanya then asked Ramananda Raya, “Out of many so-called
liberated souls, who is actually liberated?”
Ramananda replied that he who is actually completely saturated with the devotional love for Radha and Krsna is to be considered to be the best of all liberated
persons. It is stated in ▼Srimad-Bhagavatam (6.14.4) that a devotee of
Narayana is so rare that one can only find him out of millions and
millions of people.
“And out of all songs, what song do you think is the best of all?”
Caitanya Mahaprabhu asked.
And Ramananda replied that any song which
describes the pastimes of Radha and Krsna is the best song. In
conditional life, the soul is captivated by sex. All fictions–dramas
and novels–and material songs describe love between men and women.
Since people are so attracted to this kind of literature, Krsna
appeared in this material world and displayed His transcendental
loving affairs with the gopis. There is an immense literature dealing
with the transactions between the gopis and Krsna, and anyone who
takes shelter of this literature or of the stories about Radha and
Krsna can enjoy actual happiness. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.33.36) it
is said that the Lord displayed His pastimes in Vrndavana in order to
reveal His actual life. Any intelligent person who tries to understand
the pastimes of Radha and Krsna is most fortunate. The songs that tell
of those pastimes are the greatest songs in the world.
Lord Caitanya then inquired: “What is the most profitable thing in
the world, the essence of all auspicious events?”
Ramananda Raya replied that there is nothing as profitable as the association of pure
devotees.
“And what do you recommend a person to think of?” Lord Caitanya
asked.
Ramananda replied that one should always think of the pastimes
of Krsna. This is Krsna consciousness. Krsna has multiple activities,
and they are described in many Vedic scriptures. One should always
think of those pastimes; that is the best meditation and the highest
ecstasy. In ▼Srimad-Bhagavatam (2.2.36) Sukadeva Gosvami confirms that
one should always think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead–not
only think of Him, but one should also hear and chant His name, fame
and glories.
“And what is the best type of meditation?” Lord Caitanya inquired.
“He who always meditates on the lotus feet of Radha and Krsna is
the best meditator,” Ramananda Raya answered. This is also confirmed
in ▼Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.14): “It is the Supreme Personality of
Godhead alone who is the master of all devotees, whose name one should
always chant and who should always be meditated upon and worshiped
regularly.”
“Where should a person live, giving up all other pleasures?” Lord
Caitanya next inquired.
Ramananda replied that one should give up all
other pleasures and should live in Vrndavana where Lord Krsna had so
many pastimes. In Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.47.61) Uddhava says that it is
best to live in Vrndavana even if one has to live as a plant or
creeper. It was in Vrndavana that the Supreme Lord lived and it was
there that the gopis worshiped the Supreme Lord, the ultimate goal of
all Vedic knowledge.
“And what is the best subject to hear of?” Caitanya Mahaprabhu next
asked.
“The pastimes of Radha and Krsna,” Ramananda replied. Actually when
the pastimes of Radha and Krsna are heard from the right source, one
at once attains liberation. Unfortunately it sometimes happens that
people do not hear of these pastimes from a person who is a realized
soul. Thus people are sometimes misguided. It is stated in
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.33.40) that one who hears of the pastimes of
Krsna with the gopis will attain the highest platform of devotional
service and will be freed from the material lust which overwhelms
everyone’s heart in the material world. In other words, by hearing the
pastimes of Radha and Krsna, one can get rid of all material lust. If
one does not become freed from material lust in this way, then he
should not indulge in hearing of the pastimes of Radha and Krsna.
Unless one hears from the right source, he will misinterpret the
pastimes of Radha and Krsna, considering them to be ordinary affairs
between a man and woman. In this way one may be misguided.
“And who is the most worshipable Deity?” Caitanya Mahaprabhu next
inquired.
Ramananda Raya immediately replied that the transcendental
couple, Sri Radha and Krsna, is the ultimate object of worship. There
are many worshipable objects–the impersonalists worship the
brahmajyoti, for instance–but by worshiping objects other than Radha
and Krsna, one becomes bereft of life’s symptoms and becomes just like
a tree or other nonmoving entity. Those who worship the so-called void
also attain such results. Those who are after material enjoyment
(bhukti) worship the demigods and achieve their planets and thus enjoy
material happiness.
Lord Caitanya next inquired about those who are
after material happiness and liberation from material bondage. “Where
do they ultimately go?” He asked.
Ramananda Raya replied that ultimately some turn into trees and others attain the heavenly planets where they enjoy material happiness.
Ramananda Raya went on to say that those who have no taste for
Krsna consciousness or spiritual life are just like crows who take
pleasure in eating the bitter nimba fruit. It is the poetic cuckoo
that eats the seeds of the mango. The unfortunate transcendentalists
simply speculate on dry philosophy, whereas the transcendentalists who
are in love with Radha and Krsna enjoy fruit just like the cuckoo.
Thus those who are devotees of Radha and Krsna are most fortunate. The
bitter nimba fruit is not at all eatable; it is simply full of dry
speculation and is only fit for crowlike philosophers. Mango seeds,
however, are very relishable, and those in the devotional service of
Radha and Krsna enjoy them.
Thus Ramananda Raya and Caitanya Mahaprabhu talked for the entire
night. Sometimes they danced, sometimes sang and sometimes cried.
After passing the night in this way, at dawn Ramananda Raya returned
to his place. The next evening he returned to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
After discussing Krsna for some time, Ramananda Raya fell at the feet
of the Lord and said, “My dear Lord, You are so kind to me that You
have told me about the science of Krsna and Radharani and Their loving
affairs, the affairs of the rasa dance and Their pastimes. I never
thought that I should be able to speak on this subject matter. You
have taught me as You formerly taught the Vedas to Brahma.”
Being very satisfied, Lord Caitanya smiled and showed Ramananda His
real form as the combination of Sri Radha and Krsna. Thus Lord
Caitanya was Sri Krsna Himself with the external features of Srimati
Radharani. His transcendental ability to become two and then to become
one again was revealed to Ramananda Raya. Those who are fortunate
enough to understand Lord Caitanya as well as the Vrndavana pastimes
of Radha and Krsna can be able, by the mercy of Sri Rupa Gosvami, to
know about the real identity of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Upon seeing this unique feature of Lord Caitanya, Ramananda Raya
fainted and fell on the floor. Lord Caitanya then touched him, and he
came to his senses. Ramananda Raya was then surprised to see Lord
Caitanya again in His mendicant dress. Lord Caitanya embraced and
pacified him and informed him that he was the only one to have seen
this form. “Because you have understood the purpose of My incarnation,
you are privileged to have seen this particular feature of My
personality,” the Lord said. “My dear Ramananda, I am not a different
person with a fair complexion known as Gaurapurusa. I am the selfsame
Krsna the son of Maharaja Nanda, and due to contact with the body of
Srimati Radharani I have now assumed this form. Srimati Radharani does
not touch anyone but Krsna; therefore She has influenced Me with Her
complexion, mind and words. In this way I am just trying to understand
the transcendental flavor of Her relationship with Krsna.”
The fact is that both Krsna and Lord Caitanya are the original
Personality of Godhead. No one should try to eliminate Lord Caitanya
from Sri Krsna. In His form of Sri Krsna, He is the supreme enjoyer,
and in His form of Lord Caitanya, He is the supreme enjoyed. No one
can be more superexcellently attractive than Sri Krsna, and but for
Sri Krsna, no one can enjoy the supreme form of devotion, Srimati
Radharani. But for Sri Krsna, all Visnu forms are lacking this
ability. This is explained in the description of Govinda in
Caitanya-caritamrta. There it is said that Srimati Radharani is the
only personality who can infuse Sri Krsna with transcendental
pleasure. Thus Srimati Radharani is the chief damsel of Vraja in love
with Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna.
You can understand this yourself and keep it to yourself. From
a materialistic point of view, a devotee becomes mad in his ecstasy of
love for Krsna. Both you and I are just like madmen. So please don’t
disclose these facts to ordinary men. If you do, they will surely
laugh at Me.”
Lord Caitanya then passed ten nights with Ramananda Raya, enjoyed
his company and discussed the pastimes of Krsna and Radha. The
discussions between them were on the highest level of love for Krsna.
Some of these talks are described, but most of them could not be
described.
In Caitanya-caritamrta this has been compared to
metallurgic examination. The metals compared are discussed in the
following sequence: first copper, then bronze, then silver, gold and
at last touchstone. The preliminary discussions between Lord Caitanya
and Ramananda Raya are considered to be like copper, and the higher
discussions are considered to be like gold. The fifth dimension of
their discussions, however, is considered to be like touchstone. If
one is eager to attain the highest understanding, he must begin with
an inquiry into the differences between copper and bronze, then silver
Excerpts from-Sri Caitanya-Siksamrta by Bhaktvinode Thakur
adau sraddha tatah sadhu-ango ‘tha bhajana-kriyatato ‘nartha-nivrttih syattato nistha rucis tatahathasaktis tato bhavastatah premabhyudancatisadhakanam ayam premnahpradurbhave bhavet kramah
brahma muhurta and sunrise at Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Mandir rural ashram
Gaura Purnima Festival report 2013-Sedro Woolley Wa USA
Hare Krsna to all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and
Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu
We here at Sri Sri Gaura Nitai Mandir celebrated the festival of Gaura Purnima today, and as
you can see from the photos, it was very nice and many devotees attended.
Fresh fragrant flowers from spring like forsythia, plum blossums, and daffodils graced Lord Gaurangas
nicely decorated altar.
We offered 111 different foodstuffs for the Lords pleasure. This included but was not
limited to- two dozen fortune cookies, gulab jamuns, 30 different types of burfy, Gauranga potatoes,
rice, various subjis, dried and fresh fruits, sweet rice, cawly and eggplant pakoras, three kinds
of chutney-well, you get the picture.
We began by offering arotik, then did the bhajan Parama Karuna, read the purport by
Srila Prabhupada, and then gave a short class on this song.
We next did Abhisek for three of our Deities, everybody took part bathing the
Lords in pancamrta substances. Then Anubhavananda read one of his poems.
Next was a very amusing play of puppets put on by Kanhaiya das and his kids.
The play,taken from Caitanya mangala, was about the episode in Vaikuntha between Lord Krsna and His queen Sri Rukmini devi along with Narada Muni, all of which precipitated the advent of
Gauranga, who was first seen at this time.
This was followed by– the FEAST !.
Afterwards, the devotees mingled for a bit, then we did some more kirtans, until
finally everyone had to leave for their respective ashrams. All things considered,
I think everyone had a lot of fun, and most importantly–this Hare Krsna Movement
as it was originally taught by Srila Prabhupada, is STILL going on, despite all that
happened in the past!!!
All glories to Srila Prabhupada and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu,
the most merciful of all incarnations!!!
Damaghosa das/ Daria Devi dasi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80MMOK_Aa-4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evZiSOEIg6g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBjS-tVxWYY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRIbbeO4yTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hPF70vcoQI (Puppet show)
Is this a beautiful outfit or not?
CON Trick from the Bogus GBC
From: Mahesh Raja
The bogus GBC want to play at being ACARYA who gives Diksa:
And…
“A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake, but there are persons who are less qualified or not liberated, but still can act as guru and acharya by strictly following the disciplic succession.” Letter to Janardana, 26 April, 1968
And…
“We may not be cent percent perfect, but as far as possible, if we follow the instruction as it is, that much perfect. In this way one will get perfection. So one has to follow. The same example, try to understand, that a perfect, expert technologist or technician or mechanic is working, and somebody is working under his instruction. So this somebody, because he is strictly working under the instruction of the expert, he’s also expert. He may not be cent percent expert, but his work is expert. Is that clear? Because he is working under the expert. Do you follow? So if you follow pure devotee, then you are also pure devotee. It may not be one is cent percent pure. Because we are trying to raise ourself from the conditional life. But if we strictly follow the pure devotee, then we are also pure devotee. So far we do, that is pure. So pure devotee does not mean one has to become immediately cent percent pure. But if he sticks to the principle that “We’ll follow a pure devotee,” then his actions are… He is as good as a pure devotee. It is not I am explaining in my own way. It is the explanation of Bhagavata. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186].” Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.1-10 and Talk — Los Angeles, November 25, 1968
ACT AS ACARYA simply means OFFICIATING ACARYA. Officiating Acarya IS Ritvik. So as per July 9th 1977 Order confirms that 1st and 2nd Initiations are to be conducted by OFFICIATING ACARYA(RITVIK -REPRESENTATIVE OF ACARYA Srila Prabhupada)
Prabhupada: Yes. I shall recommend some of you. After this is settled up, I shall recommend some of you to ACT AS OFFICIATING ACARYAS.
Tamala Krsna: Is that called rtvik-acarya?
Prabhupada: RTVIK, YES.
Madhya 24.330 The Sixty-One Explanations of the Atmarama Verse
Similarly, a disciple’s qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is accepted as a disciple. In our Krsna consciousness movement, the requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of sinful life-illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. In Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then he is given the name of a Vaisnava servant and initiated to chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily. In this way the disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual master OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE FOR at least six months to a year. He is then recommended for a second initiation, during which a sacred thread is offered and the disciple is accepted as a bona fide brahmana.
You are right about Sridhara Maharaja’s genuineness. But in my opinion he is the best of the lot. He is my old friend, at least he executes the regulative principles of devotional service. I do not wish to discuss about activities of my Godbrothers but it is a fact they have no life for preaching work. All are satisfied with a place for residence in the name of a temple, they engage disciples to get foodstuff by transcendental devices and eat and sleep. They have no idea or brain how to broacast the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My Guru Maharaja used to lament many times for this reason and he thought if one man at least had understood the principle of preaching then his mission would achieve success. In the latter days of my Guru Maharaja he was very disgusted. Actually, he left this world earlier, otherwise he would have continued to live for more years. Still he requested his disciples to form a strong Governing body for preaching the cult of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. HE NEVER RECOMMENDED ANYONE TO BE ACARYA OF THE GAUDIYA MATH. BUT SRIDHARA MAHARAJA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DISOBEYING THIS ORDER OF GURU MAHARAJA, AND HE AND OTHERS WHO ARE ALREADY DEAD UNNECESSARILY THOUGHT THAT THERE MUST BE ONE ACARYA. IF GURU MAHARAJA COULD HAVE SEEN SOMEONE WHO WAS QUALIFIED AT THAT TIME TO BE ACARYA HE WOULD HAVE MENTIONED. BECAUSE ON THE NIGHT BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY HE TALKED OF SO MANY THINGS, BUT NEVER MENTIONED AN ACARYA. HIS IDEA WAS ACARYA WAS NOT TO BE NOMINATED AMONGST THE GOVERNING BODY. HE SAID OPENLY YOU MAKE A GBC AND CONDUCT THE MISSION. SO HIS IDEA WAS AMONGST THE MEMBERS OF GBC WHO WOULD COME OUT SUCCESSFUL AND SELF EFFULGENT ACARYA WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY SELECTED. SO SRIDHARA MAHARAJA AND HIS TWO ASSOCIATE GENTLEMEN UNAUTHORIZEDLY SELECTED ONE ACARYA AND LATER IT PROVED A FAILURE. THE RESULT IS NOW EVERYONE IS CLAIMING TO BE ACARYA EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY BE KANISTHA ADHIKARI WITH NO ABILITY TO PREACH. IN SOME OF THE CAMPS THE ACARYA IS BEING CHANGED THREE TIMES A YEAR. THEREFORE WE MAY NOT COMMIT THE SAME MISTAKE IN OUR ISKCON CAMP. ACTUALLY AMONGST MY GODBROTHERS NO ONE IS QUALIFIED TO BECOME ACARYA. So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them.
KB 80 The Meeting of Lord Krsna with Sudama Brahmana
Our next spiritual master is he who initiates us into transcendental knowledge, and he is to be worshiped as much as I am. The spiritual master may be more than one. The spiritual master who instructs the disciples about spiritual matters is called siksa-guru, and the spiritual master who initiates the disciple is called diksa-guru. Both of them are My representatives. There may be many spiritual masters who instruct, but the initiator spiritual master is one.
https://www.prabhupadanugas.eu/?p=33002#comment-16956
SB 10.2.18 P Prayers by the Demigods for Lord Krsna in the Womb
As indicated here by the word manastah, the Supreme Personality of Godhead was transferred from the core of Vasudeva’s mind or heart to the core of the heart of Devaki. WE SHOULD NOTE CAREFULLY THAT THE LORD WAS TRANSFERRED TO DEVAKI NOT BY THE ORDINARY WAY FOR A HUMAN BEING, BUT BY DIKSA, INITIATION. THUS THE IMPORTANCE OF INITIATION IS MENTIONED HERE. UNLESS ONE IS INITIATED BY THE RIGHT PERSON, WHO ALWAYS CARRIES WITHIN HIS HEART THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, ONE CANNOT ACQUIRE THE POWER TO CARRY THE SUPREME GODHEAD WITHIN THE CORE OF ONE’S OWN HEART.
So UNLESS one is on TRANSCENDENTAL PLATFORM means Uttama Adhikari (Maha Bhagavata) there can NOT be any question of Transcendental Knowledge of ones CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION coming FROM him. THIS EFFECTIVLY DISQUALIFIES KANISTHA AND MADHYAM (MIDDLE STAGE) FROM GIVING DIKSA — AUTOMATICALLY.
Hrde means heart and Prokasito means revealed just as in prakasa – manifested Krsna becomes manifest in the heart of the Pure Devotee.
Prabhupada: Divya-jnana hrde prokasito. What is that divya-jnana? Divya-jnana is that we are all servant of Krsna, and our only business is to serve Krsna. Divya-jnana. This is divya-jnana. It is not difficult at all. Simply we have… We have become servant of so many things–servant of society, servant of community, servant of country, servant of wife, servant of children, servant of dog and so many. “Now let me become servant of Krsna.” This is divya-jnana. Diksa. Diksa means from this divya-jnana. That is di. And ksa means ksapayati, expands.
When at the stage of Madhyama Adhikari one is RECEPIENT of THAT Diksa in the HEART from SRILA PRABHUPADA he becomes a SERVANT OF KRSNA. He relishes a particular mellow (Rasa) of his relationship with Krsna. This point HE SEES KRSNA and HIS RELATIONSHIP (svarupa) is established. So it is not so CHEAP to be Diksa guru.
The purport in presenting this verse necessitates explaining the comparative positions of the transcendental mellows known as santa, dasya, sakhya, vatsalya and madhurya. All these rasas, or mellows, are situated on the transcendental platform. Pure devotees take shelter of one of them and thus progress in spiritual life. Actually one can take shelter of such spiritual mellows only when one is completely uncontaminated by material attachment. When one is completely free from material attachment, the feelings of the transcendental mellows are awakened in the heart of the devotee. That is svarupa-siddhi, the perfection of one’s eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord. Svarupa-siddhi, the eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord, may be situated in one of the transcendental mellows.
Following instruction of a pure devotee is better than following Krsnas !
SB 9/4/63 TEXT 63
TEXT
Translation
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the brahmana: I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me.
PURPORT
All the great stalwart personalities in the universe, including Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, are fully under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead is fully under the control of His devotee. Why is this? Because the devotee is anyabhilasita-sunya; in other words, he has no material desires in his heart. His only desire is to think always of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and how to serve Him best. Because of this transcendental qualification, the Supreme Lord is extremely favorable to the devotees—indeed, not only the devotees, but also the devotees of the devotees. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura says, chadiya vaisnava-seva nistara payeche keba: without being a devotee of a devotee, one cannot be released from material entanglement.
Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu identified Himself as gopi-bhartuh pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah. Thus he instructed us to become not directly servants of Krsna but servants of the servant of Krsna. Devotees like Brahma, Narada, Vyasadeva and Sukadeva Gosvami are directly servants of Krsna, and one who becomes a servant of Narada, Vyasadeva and Sukadeva, like the six Gosvamis, is still more devoted. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura therefore says, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah: ** if one very sincerely serves the spiritual master, Krsna certainly becomes favorable to such a devotee.FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF A DEVOTEE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD DIRECTLY.
ACCEPTING THE LINE OF DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION
ACCEPTING THE LINE OF DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION
from www.krishnapath.org
“Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is none other than the combined form of Sri Radha and Krsna. He is the life of those devotees who strictly follow in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami. Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Sanatana Gosvami are the two principal followers of Srila Svarupa Damodara Gosvami, who acted as the most confidential servitor of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, known as Visvambhara in His early life. A direct disciple of Srila Rupa Gosvami was Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. The author of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, stands as the direct disciple of Srila Rupa Gosvami and Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.
The direct disciple of Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami was Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, who accepted Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti as his servitor. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura accepted Srila Jagannatha dasa Babaji, who initiated Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, who in turn initiated Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji, the spiritual master of Om Visnupada Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the divine master of our humble self…. The subject matter of this book is not a mental concoction but a factual spiritual experience that one can realize only by accepting the line of disciplic succession described above. Any deviation from that line will bewilder the reader’s understanding of the mystery of Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, which is a transcendental literature meant for the postgraduate study of one who has realized all the Vedic scriptures such as the Upanisads and Vedanta-sutra and their natural commentaries such as Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita.”
(From the Caitanya Caritamrita Adi-Lila Chapter 1 [authorized 1975 edition]: The Spiritual Masters)
It is very interesting to note that the above disciplic succession referred to here has nothing to do with the formalities of Initiation as it is known in modern ISKCON today. It is referring to the authorized disciplic Succession based on the transfer of realization from one devotee to another. Not the formalities of who chants on ones beads, gives a name or performs a formal fire Yajna, where the initiate makes his vows before the sacred fire and deity. In fact, often case, such as with Narottama dasa Thakura and Visvanatha Cakravarti they never even met! So there is no possibility for there to have been a formal ceremony between them. Furthermore, Narottama underwent the formalities with Lokanatha not Krsnadasa.
Narottama appeared sometime in 1531 (exact date is unknown). His disciple was Ganga Narayana Cakravarti. Ganga Narayana’s disciple was Krishna Carana Cakravarti. Krishna Carana’s disciple was Radha Ramana Cakravarti, the formal guru of Visvanatha Cakravarti.
The exact year of Visvanatha’s birth is unknown. It is estimated to be somewhere between 1620-1640. He departed in 1708. So obviously due to the century difference between them they never even met. But Srila Prabhupada says that we get a “factual spiritual experience that one can realize only by accepting the line of disciplic succession described above.
This means that the way to have a factual spiritual experience is by hearing from the realized masters like Srila Prabhupada even if they are not physically present. It has nothing to do with the person that formally performs our initiation ceremony. It is a matter of what great personality (physically present or not) we are associating with through either meditation, service or hearing. Hearing can mean reading or hearing about him from a transparent source. But the connection or as Srila Prabhupada calls it “disciplic succession” is not based on formalities or physical presence. We also notice this in Srila Prabhupada’s introduction to the Bhagavad Gita this same conclusion is there. That disciplic succession is also not based on the person that performs ones initiation ritual. Thus the person performing the formalities of initiation chanting on beads and choosing a name is not the real spiritual connection. The disciplic succession is the person that we get our real transcendental wisdom from by reading there books or hearing their lectures etc (weather we have physically met them or not).
So if we are reading Srila Prabhupada’s books then Srila Prabhupada is our spiritual master.
(Please see the quotes at the end of this article for more information in this regard.)
It is even more interesting to notice that Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura rejected his initiating guru Bipin Bihari Goswami due to a philosophical dispute. Later in a public meeting/debate of all the sadhus, to Bhaktivinoda’s great pleasure, his son, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami defeated Bipin Bihari Goswami. As a result we do not see his name in the disciplic succession.
So we must just catch the feet of the most recent topmost devotee Uttama-Adhikari and Acharya weather we are formally initiated by him or not. This is the process that Srila Prabhupada has instructed us to follow and even warns us that any deviation from this will bewilder us.
So we are so fortunate to have all Srila Prabhupada’s books, recorded audio and even hundreds of hours of free video’s for our spiritual growth. We must simply take advantage of this process of taking direct shelter of Srila Prabhupada for this is the disciplic succession that Srila Prabhupada has recommended above.
Here at Krishna Path we are very happy to offer you so much of Srila Prabhupada’s original authorized unadulterated books audio art etc for free. Please take full advantage of it and read and chant every day!
We are also in the process of redesigning Krishnapath.org so you can have a more enjoyable user-friendly experience. The new website should be launched in a month or so. So stay tuned.
Hare Krishna!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor. Whether I am present or not present, it doesn’t matter.
(Arrival Speech – May 17, 1977, Vrndavana)
If I depart, there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and my orders. I will always remain with you in that way.”
(Back To Godhead vol.13 01/02, 1978)
Indian lady: Can the death of a spiritual master take to us, or I can get… Is that spiritual master still guiding after the death? (?)
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Just like Krsna is guiding us, similarly, spiritual master will guide. We are being guided by Krsna, by the Bhagavad-gita. Although Krsna is not physically present, so-called… Krsna is present always. But even if we say that Krsna is not physically present as He was present before Arjuna, still, His book, Bhagavad-gita, is there.
(His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Appearance Day, Lecture — London, September 3, 1971)
Indian Man(2): …like your company very much in Toronto and we feel like talk you so much, but we don’t have so much time to talk with you. You have so much mercy, so we have not… know so much about Krsna from you.
Prabhupada: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.
Indian Man (2): Personally, we think more greater.
Prabhupada: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.
(Morning Walk — August 7, 1975, Toronto)
Prajapati: In the Bhagavad-gita it is indicated by Sri Krsna that when we approach a bona fide spiritual master our relationship is twofold. We render service and then we also make inquiry.
Prabhupada: Yeah.
Prajapati: Now, you have answered all our inquiries so thoroughly in our books that to make inquiry at this point seems like…, you’ve already answered all the questions. So how may we… What is the proper relationship at that point to make inquiry?
Devotee (4): Read the books.
Prabhupada: Yes. Read the books, yes. Why I’m working so hard? Read the books. [break]
(Morning Walk – January 5, 1974, Los Angeles)
Lord Brahma heard the occult sound tapa, but he did not see the person who vibrated the sound. And still he accepted the instruction as beneficial for him, and therefore he engaged himself in meditation for one thousand celestial years. One celestial year is equal to 6 x 30 x 12 x 1000 of our years. His acceptance of the sound was due to his pure vision of the absolute nature of the Lord. And due to his correct vision, he made no distinction between the Lord and the Lord’s instruction. There is no difference between the Lord and sound vibration coming from Him, even though He is not personally present. The best way of understanding is to accept such divine instruction, and Brahma, the prime spiritual master of everyone, is the living example of this process of receiving transcendental knowledge. The potency of transcendental sound is never minimized because the vibrator is apparently absent. Therefore Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita or any revealed scripture in the world is never to be accepted as an ordinary mundane sound without transcendental potency.
(SB 2.9.8)
one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life.
(SB 3.31.48)
In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.…You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time.
(Letter to: Bahurupa Bombay 74-11-22)
I have instructed everything in my books.
(Letter to: Dina Dayala Mayapur 76-02-25)
Interviewer: You are the translator of many books, from what I understand.
Prabhupada: Yes. So that translation, the book, will speak how I have translated.
Interviewer: Um hm. I was wondering…
Prabhupada: You read the books, Then you’ll understand. Instead of asking me, you better read the books. That is real understanding.
(Interview with Newsweek – July 14, 1976, New York)
In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. Krishna Consciousness is not a hackneyed thing but it is something which is our natural and original consciousness. Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything.
(Letter to: Bahurupa – Bombay 22 November, 1974)
Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice — in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.
(Letter to: Ranadhira – Los Angeles 24 January, 1970)
So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.
(Letter to: Upendra – Nellore 7 January, 1976)
Reporter (2): What will happen to the movement in the United States when you die?
Prabhupada: I will never die.
Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (laughter)
Prabhupada: I shall live for my books, and you will utilize.
(Press Conference – July 16, 1975, San Francisco)
The merciful Lord left behind Him the great teachings of the Bhagavad-gita so that one can take the instructions of the Lord even when He is not visible to material eyesight. Material senses cannot have any estimation of the Supreme Lord, but by His inconceivable power the Lord can incarnate Himself to the sense perception of the conditioned souls in a suitable manner through the agency of matter, which is also another form of the Lord’s manifested energy. Thus the Bhagavad-gita, or any authentic scriptural sound representation of the Lord, is also the incarnation of the Lord. There is no difference between the sound representation of the Lord and the Lord Himself. One can derive the same benefit from the Bhagavad-gita as Arjuna did in the personal presence of the Lord.
(SB 1.15.27)
One who can see Srimad-Bhagavatam can see also Lord Sri Krsna in person. They are identical.
(SB 1.3.43)
arcye sila-dhir gurusu na… Gurusu means those who are acaryas, to accept their body as ordinary man’s body, this is denied in the sastras. So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master, vibration. What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.
(Lecture Excerpt – Los Angeles, January 13, 1969)